Malai Arasi Sakthi
From Vijeya · 1973
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- G. Devarajan
- Details
- Vijeya1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi | Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi |
| Intha mandalam engum un arasaatchi | Your reign prevails all across this universe |
| Kulamagalir thamakku kannkaatchi | A feast for the eyes of virtuous women |
| Avar kulaththukkum kunaththukkum nee saatchi | You stand as a witness to their lineage and fine character |
| Female | |
| Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi | Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi |
| Intha mandalam engum un arasaatchi | Your reign prevails all across this universe |
| Kulamagalir thamakku kannkaatchi | A feast for the eyes of virtuous women |
| Avar kulaththukkum kunaththukkum nee saatchi | You stand as a witness to their lineage and fine character |
| Female | |
| My life modern life | My life, modern life |
| Sweet life and happy life | Sweet life and happy life |
| Female | |
| Naagareegam en deivam | Modernity is my deity |
| Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam | New dance style is my wealth |
| kalaigalum pudhiya nilaigalum kandu | Discovering arts and new realms |
| Iravilum antha nilavilum aadum | Dancing in the night under that moonlight |
| Female | |
| Ada naagareegam en deivam | Oh, modernity is my deity |
| Female | |
| Adakkaththilae pirantha panpaadu | The culture born out of humility |
| Nee aliththathilae valarntha thennaadu | The southern land that grew from your grace |
| Silappathikaaram ennum pugazh yaedu kanda | The glorious scripture called Silappathikaram |
| Selvangal vaazhuvathum un veedu | Your home is where true treasures reside |
| Female | |
| Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi… | Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi... |
| Female | |
| Modern life is jolly | Modern life is jolly |
| Udai maaruvathum pudhu paani | Changing clothes in the newest style |
| Vaaliparudanae aattam | Dancing along with young men |
| Idhu vasantha kaala thottam | This is a spring season garden |
| Female | |
| Koondhalai vetti aangalai thottu | Cutting hair short and touching men |
| Aadinaal maeni thullum | If you dance, the body leaps with joy |
| Kondu vaa kinnam oottruven innum | Bring the cup, I shall pour more |
| Kinnamae bodhai kollum | Even the cup itself gets intoxicated |
| Female | |
| Naagareegam en deivam | Modernity is my deity |
| Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam | New dance style is my wealth |
| Female | |
| Saththiya kungumaththil naan vaazha | For me to live in the vermilion of truth |
| Antha tharumaththin naayaganin pugazh sera | To attain the glory of the hero of righteousness |
| Sakthiyammaa unathu thunai vendum | Mother Sakthi, I need your support |
| Enthan santhathiyum perumai pera vendum | My lineage too must achieve pride |
| Female | |
| Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi… | Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi... |
| Female | |
| Sikkena idaiyai kulukku | Shake your slender waist briskly |
| Sivantha idhazhaal mayakku | Mesmerize with your reddened lips |
| Jappan naattai ninaiththu | Thinking of Japan's modern ways |
| Tamizhar naattai thiruththu | Reform the land of the Tamils |
| Pazhamai maraiya pudhumai malara paadupadu | Strive to fade the old ways and let modernity blossom |
| Female | |
| Naagareegam en deivam | Modernity is my deity |
| Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam | New dance style is my wealth |
| Female | |
| Bharatha kalaikalukku thaai neeyae | You are the mother of classical Bharatha arts |
| Female :Aangila pengalin | Female: Of Western women |
| Paathaiyil maarattum innaadu | Let this country transform into that path |
| Female :Tamil paattukkum pechukkum thalai neeyae | Female: You are the chief of Tamil song and speech |
| Female :Caprae nadanam shake-kkum twisttum neeyaadu | Female: Dance the cabaret, shake, and twist dance styles |
| Female | |
| Kaaviya naayagi | Heroine of epic poetry |
| Kannkanda deivamae | Visible deity before my eyes |
| Un kaavalilae ennai valarppaayae | Will you nurture me under your protection? |
மலையரசி சக்தி மீனாட்சி
இந்த மண்டலம் எங்கும் உன் அரசாட்சி
குலமகளிர் தமக்கு கண்காட்சி
அவர் குலத்துக்கும் குணத்துக்கும் நீ சாட்சி
Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi
Your reign prevails all across this universe
A feast for the eyes of virtuous women
You stand as a witness to their lineage and fine character
மலையரசி சக்தி மீனாட்சி
இந்த மண்டலம் எங்கும் உன் அரசாட்சி
குலமகளிர் தமக்கு கண்காட்சி
அவர் குலத்துக்கும் குணத்துக்கும் நீ சாட்சி
Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi
Your reign prevails all across this universe
A feast for the eyes of virtuous women
You stand as a witness to their lineage and fine character
மை லைப் மாடர்ன் லைப்
ஸ்வீட் லைப் அண்ட் ஹேப்பி லைப்
My life, modern life
Sweet life and happy life
நாகரீகம் என் தெய்வம்
புது நடனமே எந்தன் செல்வம்
கலைகளும் புதிய நிலைகளும் கண்டு
இரவிலும் அந்த நிலவிலும் ஆடும்.....
Modernity is my deity
New dance style is my wealth
Discovering arts and new realms
Dancing in the night under that moonlight
நாகரீகம் என் தெய்வம்
புது நடனமே எந்தன் செல்வம்
கலைகளும் புதிய நிலைகளும் கண்டு
இரவிலும் அந்த நிலவிலும் ஆடும்.....
Oh, modernity is my deity
அட நாகரீகம் என் தெய்வம்....
The culture born out of humility
The southern land that grew from your grace
The glorious scripture called Silappathikaram
Your home is where true treasures reside
அடக்கத்திலே பிறந்த பண்பாடு
நீ அளித்ததிலே வளர்ந்த தென்னாடு
சிலப்பதிகாரம் என்னும் புகழ் ஏடு கண்ட
செல்வங்கள் வாழுவதும் உன் வீடு.....
Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi...
மலையரசி சக்தி மீனாட்சி
Modern life is jolly
Changing clothes in the newest style
Dancing along with young men
This is a spring season garden
மாடர்ன் லைப் இஸ் ஜாலி
உடை மாறுவதும் புது பாணி
வாலிபருடனே ஆட்டம்
இது வசந்த காலத் தோட்டம்
Cutting hair short and touching men
If you dance, the body leaps with joy
Bring the cup, I shall pour more
Even the cup itself gets intoxicated
கூந்தலை வெட்டி ஆண்களைத் தொட்டு
ஆடினால் மேனி துள்ளும்
கொண்டு வா கிண்ணம் ஊற்றுவேன் இன்னும்
கிண்ணமே போதை கொள்ளும்
Modernity is my deity
New dance style is my wealth
நாகரீகம் என் தெய்வம்
புது நடனமே எந்தன் செல்வம்
For me to live in the vermilion of truth
To attain the glory of the hero of righteousness
Mother Sakthi, I need your support
My lineage too must achieve pride
சத்திய குங்குமத்தில் நான் வாழ
அந்த தருமத்தின் நாயகனின் புகழ் சேர
சக்தியம்மா உனது துணை வேண்டும்
எந்தன் சந்ததியும் பெருமை பெற வேண்டும்...
Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi...
மலையரசி சக்தி மீனாட்சி
Shake your slender waist briskly
Mesmerize with your reddened lips
Thinking of Japan's modern ways
Reform the land of the Tamils
Strive to fade the old ways and let modernity blossom
சிக்கென இடையை குலுக்கு
சிவந்த இதழால் மயக்கு
ஜப்பான் நாட்டை நினைத்து
தமிழர் நாட்டை திருத்து
பழமை மறைய புதுமை மலர பாடுபடு
Modernity is my deity
New dance style is my wealth
நாகரீகம் என் தெய்வம்......
புது நடனமே எந்தன் செல்வம்
You are the mother of classical Bharatha arts
Female: Of Western women
Let this country transform into that path
Female: You are the chief of Tamil song and speech
Female: Dance the cabaret, shake, and twist dance styles
பாரதக் கலைகளுக்கு தாய் நீயே
ஆங்கில பெண்களின்
பாதையில் மாறட்டும் இந்நாடு
தமிழ் பாட்டுக்கும் பேச்சுக்கும் தலை நீயே
கேப்ரே நடனம் ஷேக்கும் டிவிஸ்டும் நீயாடு
Heroine of epic poetry
Visible deity before my eyes
Will you nurture me under your protection?
காவிய நாயகி......
கண்கண்ட தெய்வமே.........
உன் காவலிலே என்னை வளர்ப்பாயே........
Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi
Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi
Intha mandalam engum un arasaatchi
Your reign prevails all across this universe
Kulamagalir thamakku kannkaatchi
A feast for the eyes of virtuous women
Avar kulaththukkum kunaththukkum nee saatchi
You stand as a witness to their lineage and fine character
Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi
Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi
Intha mandalam engum un arasaatchi
Your reign prevails all across this universe
Kulamagalir thamakku kannkaatchi
A feast for the eyes of virtuous women
Avar kulaththukkum kunaththukkum nee saatchi
You stand as a witness to their lineage and fine character
My life modern life
My life, modern life
Sweet life and happy life
Sweet life and happy life
Naagareegam en deivam
Modernity is my deity
Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam
New dance style is my wealth
kalaigalum pudhiya nilaigalum kandu
Discovering arts and new realms
Iravilum antha nilavilum aadum
Dancing in the night under that moonlight
Ada naagareegam en deivam
Oh, modernity is my deity
Adakkaththilae pirantha panpaadu
The culture born out of humility
Nee aliththathilae valarntha thennaadu
The southern land that grew from your grace
Silappathikaaram ennum pugazh yaedu kanda
The glorious scripture called Silappathikaram
Selvangal vaazhuvathum un veedu
Your home is where true treasures reside
Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi…
Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi...
Modern life is jolly
Modern life is jolly
Udai maaruvathum pudhu paani
Changing clothes in the newest style
Vaaliparudanae aattam
Dancing along with young men
Idhu vasantha kaala thottam
This is a spring season garden
Koondhalai vetti aangalai thottu
Cutting hair short and touching men
Aadinaal maeni thullum
If you dance, the body leaps with joy
Kondu vaa kinnam oottruven innum
Bring the cup, I shall pour more
Kinnamae bodhai kollum
Even the cup itself gets intoxicated
Naagareegam en deivam
Modernity is my deity
Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam
New dance style is my wealth
Saththiya kungumaththil naan vaazha
For me to live in the vermilion of truth
Antha tharumaththin naayaganin pugazh sera
To attain the glory of the hero of righteousness
Sakthiyammaa unathu thunai vendum
Mother Sakthi, I need your support
Enthan santhathiyum perumai pera vendum
My lineage too must achieve pride
Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi…
Queen of mountains, Goddess Sakthi Meenakshi...
Sikkena idaiyai kulukku
Shake your slender waist briskly
Sivantha idhazhaal mayakku
Mesmerize with your reddened lips
Jappan naattai ninaiththu
Thinking of Japan's modern ways
Tamizhar naattai thiruththu
Reform the land of the Tamils
Pazhamai maraiya pudhumai malara paadupadu
Strive to fade the old ways and let modernity blossom
Naagareegam en deivam
Modernity is my deity
Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam
New dance style is my wealth
Bharatha kalaikalukku thaai neeyae
You are the mother of classical Bharatha arts
Female :Aangila pengalin
Female: Of Western women
Paathaiyil maarattum innaadu
Let this country transform into that path
Female :Tamil paattukkum pechukkum thalai neeyae
Female: You are the chief of Tamil song and speech
Female :Caprae nadanam shake-kkum twisttum neeyaadu
Female: Dance the cabaret, shake, and twist dance styles
Kaaviya naayagi
Heroine of epic poetry
Kannkanda deivamae
Visible deity before my eyes
Un kaavalilae ennai valarppaayae
Will you nurture me under your protection?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This dynamic duet represents a fascinating stylistic and philosophical clash between traditional Tamil culture and modern Westernized lifestyle, a common trope in 1970s Tamil cinema. One perspective devoutly praises Goddess Meenakshi, upholding humility, classic literature like Silappathikaram, and traditional family virtues as the core identity of the Tamil land. The opposing voice celebrates modernity, modern fashion, pop dancing, Western freedom, and radical modern social reform. Through this lyrical debate, lyricist Kannadasan brilliantly captures the cultural evolution and generational shift taking place in Tamil society during that era.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi / Intha mandalam engum un arasaatchi”
In Tamil prosody, the second letter of consecutive lines rhymes. 'Malaiyarasi' and 'Intha' use matching rhythm, and 'meenaatchi' pairs with 'arasaatchi'.
Juxtaposition (Muran)
“Pazhamai maraiya pudhumai malara paadupadu”
The lyricist places ancient traditional piety ('Saththiya kungumaththil naan vaazha') alongside western modernism ('Caprae nadanam shake-kkum twisttum') to create artistic dynamic contrast.
Code-Mixing (English-Tamil blend)
“Modern life is jolly / Udai maaruvathum pudhu paani”
English words like 'modern life', 'jolly', 'twist', and 'shake' are woven into Tamil verse to characterize modern Western trends.
Did you know?
Trivia
In 1970s Tamil film music, duets featuring P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari were popular choices for contrasting traditional/classical characters (sung by Susheela) with trendy, modern, or cabaret characters (sung by L. R. Eswari).
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